Benefits of Summertime Sun Exposure

Summer is upon us! Schools will be letting out soon and we will all be spending more time in the sun. Wait, isn’t the sun bad for us? Shouldn’t we avoid the sun?Well, actually it’s not and sunshine can actually be really good for us from a health and wellness perspective.

Unfortunately, the sun gets a bad rap—with the biggest issue being skin cancer. Damage from excess sun exposure has been blamed for accelerating skin wrinkling too. So is it smart to avoid the sun? The quick answer is no. The sun offers the full spectrum of light (which we don’t get from computer screens or indoor lighting). The full spectrum of light is important in our general health and when the light enters our bodies through our eyes it activates several beneficial systems one being our immune system. It supports our immune system to fight off all forms of foreign invaders.

For all you science geeks, look up Dr Ott’s research. He’s a world renowned “photobiologist” that has published several books on this subject. The sun also will penetrate our skin and aid in the production of vitamin D which has been shown to protect us from 16 different types of cancer, support the immune system to fight infections, enhance athletic performance and minimize the symptoms of the winter blues! Wow! All those benefits from the sun and yet so-called experts tell us to avoid and block the sun?

Ironically, these experts also endorse sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals that are classified as carcinogenic (cancer causing). So, they want us to avoid the sun to reduce the risk of skin cancer and apply products that could cause cancer? Talk about chasing your tail! Here’s the best way to handle the sun—don’t avoid it just be smart:

Avoid getting fried! Too much of a good thing doesn’t make it better.

Apply sun-blocking products to the areas that get the most exposure. There’s a website EWG.org that is a non profit organization that list safe sunscreens each season.

Wear clothing that contains SPF when you feel like you’re getting too much sun.

Stay hydrated and consume lots of antioxidants throughout the day (whole fruit and veggies).

Avoid sugar and sugary beverages. They are inflammatory and will interfere with the benefits of being in the sun.

Super foods like Moringa oleifera is a great choice due to it being loaded with antioxidants and very nutrient dense. Antioxidants will protect you from the inside out and minimize the potential negative of too much sun.

So, don’t avoid the sun just be smart and be grateful that you’re healthy enough to be out having fun!

Benefits of Summertime Sun Exposure was last modified: May 23rd, 2018 by Dr. Vaughn Johnson

Dr. Vaughn Johnson went to medical school at UHS-COM in Kansas City, Missouri, and then completed his three-year residency program in Family Medicine at the University of Utah. He moved his practice to Orem, Utah, and after ten years he formed a partnership with another Utah doctor to start the Integrative Medical Associates. Dr. Johnson’s real passion is helping people take control of their health and coaching patients on how to improve and maintain true wellness—one of his favorite sayings being, “Patients are like snowflakes, no two are alike.” In his spare time Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids, and loves exercising and golfing.